No quicker had I done a post bringing you up to date with all the goings-on with WWE 2K17, they only go and release new information on the game via the official website earlier today. Personally, I've found myself having mixed feelings about some of the news that has come out about the game with these new details, but here is some of the information so you can make up your own mind. I will give the words of Mark Little, Executive Producer of WWE 2K, before giving my thoughts on what I feel about the bunch of things we can take away from this.
GAMEPLAY
"With the WWE 2K franchise, we are striving to deliver the most authentic and realistic WWE experience possible. Fans have been asking us to truly improve the core gameplay experience since we inherited the brand, and we are taking your requests seriously – from controls to presentation to individual features. We’ve shifted the gameplay experience focus from an arcade-centric, fighting game style to simulation-based gameplay, and WWE 2K17 continues pushing in that direction with both improved and new gameplay mechanics. In WWE 2K17, the fans will, more than ever, get to control the action how and where they want, including competing in the crowd and backstage areas. Our community asked for the return of playable backstage and crowd areas, so we delivered on this request. We also greatly improved the responsiveness of gameplay while also updating game systems like Ladders, Taunts and a new secondary submission system. As always, we added thousands of new animations into WWE 2K17, so there is a lot of new gameplay for everyone to discover and enjoy. These are just a few of the gameplay improvements we are delivering in WWE 2K17, all of which will provide the most authentic WWE experience to date."
Great to hear we will now be able to once again take our superstars to fight both backstage and in the crowd again, but this is something that should have been possible ages ago. Stepping even more away from the arcade feel previous games once had was to be expected, but being a long time fan I have to say I preferred the older style control system of games gone by over the rather complex ones we have seen in recent years. This news certainly falls into the "we will see how it goes" department, as I've always been one to not judge something too harshly until putting my actual hands on it.
"The WWE 2K17 Creation Suite enables the WWE Universe to customize, build and share their own unique WWE Superstars, Arenas, Entrances, Shows and more. For WWE 2K17, we added new creation features, as well as focused on deepening and providing even more options for existing creation features. For example, we added many more parts, more adjustment options and elements like body hair, all of which add to the game’s massive set of customization options. We also added a full Highlight Replay system, which allows players to record video highlights from their matches. The video content can be used in our new Create a Video feature, which lets players create videos for use in things like custom entrance Titan Tron videos for created Superstars. We also deepened the Create a Show feature and added a brand new Create a Victory feature to ensure everyone can create the most comprehensive WWE experience possible. Whether players build their own worlds or simply expand on existing tools, the power is in their hands."
Creating custom entrance videos is a plus, but no idea what "create a victory" is. The creation side of the game looks to be even better than what 2K16 had to offer, so for me, this is a plus.
"One of the largest and most difficult decisions we made for WWE 2K17 was to forego building a 2K Showcase. We designed and contemplated several Showcase ideas, including options surrounding our cover Superstar, Brock Lesnar, but all of them were not viable due to the many historic WWE Superstars needed but not available for inclusion in the game. In addition, the team is heavily focused on building and delivering great content that fans can enjoy for years to come, while the Showcases only live in games from year to year. In all, we didn’t feel good about creating a Showcase that was not up to our standards and current development vision, so we decided to take that effort and put it into modes our community requests we keep improving: WWE Universe and MyCareer."
*Wipes away a single tear* For me at least, the showcase mode was without a doubt the best mode in the game in recent years. But then again I've never been much of a Universe guy. Of course doing this mode there was always going to be a point where the team would see themselves treading over the same matches or at least getting close to it upon each yearly release, but I still think we could have seen something here. Has Cena had this treatment yet? (seriously I'm old and forgetful). If not why not do something with him. He has done a lot for the business hated or not, and the kids love him.
WWE UNIVERSE MODE
"In WWE Universe Mode, we are working to recreate the drama and excitement seen every week on Raw, SmackDown Live and NXT. For WWE 2K17, we created a new flow that focuses on these shows. The shows are what we all watch each week, and now with the recent brand split, are even more important. Our new Show Presentation system makes players feel like they are playing through a weekly episode of any WWE television or WWE Network program. We also added more intrigue and possibilities by incorporating run-ins, as well as pre- and post-match attacks. Just like in WWE, we never know what might happen next.
Even with all these new features, presentation and possibilities, we still felt something was missing: promos. In turn, WWE 2K17 will deliver a brand new Promo Engine that lets the WWE Superstars express their thoughts and emotions to the WWE Universe and one another. The Promo Engine creates a new dynamic and brings the experience closer to the actual WWE than ever before. That’s not all – we also are delivering a completely revamped offering of all Universe Mode cut scenes, including familiar and brand new scenarios. Collectively, WWE 2K17 represents the most comprehensive and authentic WWE Universe we’ve attempted thus far."
I've honestly never been a big fan of what universe mode has to offer, but I also get what the gamer who has time to mess with this portion of the game gets out from it. Having all superstars in the palm of their hand and getting to create their own things is like the digital version of playing with the figures like a kid back in their younger days. It seems to be adding a bunch of new things into the mix, but once again time will tell if they are for me or not.
MYCAREER
"MyCareer also gets some exciting new features for WWE 2K17. We incorporated the new Promo Engine, so Superstars can express themselves to the WWE Universe and also call out or respond to other WWE Superstars. Backstage interviews with Renee Young take on a whole new dimension with our new backstage brawling gameplay. Now more than ever, how a player competes, reacts, what is said and even what attire is worn can make a difference in a Superstar’s journey through the WWE. At some point, players are also likely to come face to face with Brock Lesnar and his advocate, Paul Heyman. What happens when confronted by this imposing duo will greatly shape a player’s future career growth in WWE."
I was all for the promo engine in career, right up until they said the words Renee Young. Something in 2K16 and our pal Renee didn't sit that well with me, mostly due to these promo spots feeling lifeless and utterly dull, not forgetting Renee always looking like she had downed a bottle of booze before asking the questions. Hopefully they improve on these portions, as well as bring a lot more life to the career mode this year, as the last few have felt long winded with not much happening in them at all. I also guess by the way they are speaking in this post that Brock is to play the role of end game boss as it were. I'm down with that, but make it something that was worth the time I invest into the mode, and not just a match and boom you're the champ.
WHAT’S NEXT?
"The above is a select list of the improvements and additions we are making for WWE 2K17. There is a lot more to discuss in the near future, from the features above to online to all the other components we know you’ll ask about, and we will get into more details as we get closer to the game’s release. We are excited to start sharing what we are doing with the game and look forward to letting everyone in on all the exciting things in store with WWE 2K17. After all, the Beast Incarnate, Brock Lesnar, is waiting for you in Suplex City."
"Oh, and since everyone seems to be speculating – yes – the roster is larger than last year."
Bigger roster was always going to happen. So what do you think about these bunch of details coming out? Let me know in the comments below, and be sure to check me out for future news on WWE 2K17 before its release on October 11th.